Orange Bear

Been a While Without Bears

 The counter has been covered with bear making supplies for about 2 weeks now.

I'm almost done with this guy.

A couple snipped threads and embroidered claws will finish him up.

One thing I did want to mention, these are glass eyes which had been shiny. 

I didn't like the shiny look so I sanded them. Now they look perfect!

Puts me in the right spirit to visit the

Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend Event

presented by the
Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum
Clarion Hotel & Convention Center
Near Philadelphia International Airport (free shuttle to the hotel)
April 29 - May 1, 2016

Optional Workshops: Friday 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Weekend Event: Friday 6:00p.m. to Sunday 7:30p.m.

http://www.quinlanmuseum.com/convention/

Red Bear In A White Dress

I haven't made a bear in a while but I was trusted with a new pattern of an old bear.

I pulled out the plush felt which I always do for a new pattern and here's the result.

I wanted to stick with the red theme though my daughter would have preferred different eyes.

I think she's a cutie!

Now that I know the pattern better I'll be on the look out for the perfect bear fur.

New Bear

Looking at Joanne's bears the other day at http://desertmountainbear.blogspot.com made me get out my recently purchased mohair. She makes beautiful realistic bears that have just won awards. I tend to like realist art but when it comes to bears I especially like reproductions of old teddy bears. Joanne makes these too.

I've determined that this bear will be a girl. I've already started knitting her a dress. I hope she doesn't tell me later that she's a boy!

 

I also decided to stuff her with llama fiber. Poly-fil is great, you can needle felt into it but it's squishy. Fine wood shavings are great (excelsior) but it's hard. I wanted something that would give an old fashioned feel, be easily needle felted and have a wonderful musty smell. Sheep wool or llama is perfect for this. I had a large amount of llama, in fact just enough!

 

I was able to machine sew everything but I always hand sew the foot pads.

Here's the llama fiber, I got it from my friend Londa at http://www.etsy.com/shop/4hornsheep we're Trade-A-Holics buddies!